Mary Harmon

December 23, 1930

August 6, 2017

Our mother Mary Harmon passed peacefully in her sleep on August 6th from complications of Alzheimer’s. Mary was so full of life and living right to a few weeks before her death. Born in Oklahoma City in 1930, she was that generation that loved the blessings given by a good life. Raised on the Mojave Desert, she loved the mountains and lived many years in northern California, Lexington Kentucky and for the last 30 years in Reno, NV. She was a great beauty. She played the piano and organ all her life, for church, for musical reviews, little theater, for friends and for parties (and she had a Lot of parties!). She met the love of her life Doug Harmon in 1971 while playing at an Organ Bar in Berkeley California. Married 45 years, Mary and Doug loved traveling and took many trips all over the world and loved cruises. Our mother never met a stranger and could talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime about anything they were interested in. She and Doug were very involved in Hot August Nights as volunteers since 1987. She was so kind (with a fiery side!) and supported many causes over the years including CAAW, Nevada Humane Society, Easter Seals, Nevada Women’s Organization, Breast CancerAwareness, UC Davis Eye Center and various Veterans Groups. She is survived by her Daughter Sharon Rodarte of Reno, Son John Blanche of Sacramento and the dearest children to her – her Grandchildren: Grandsons Aaron Ware, Eric Morgenroth, James Blanche; Granddaughter Victoria Blanche; Great-Grandchildren Ethan, Gabby, Ben, Lukas, Savannah, Jackie, and Skye. As more than one of her many friends said, she was a “force”. When she walked into a room, she had the attention of all. She will be so missed by her friends and family and we will never forget you Mama.

Published in Reno Gazette-Journal on Sept. 17, 2017Read Less